A Chinese company has started producing mobile replicas of the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket artillery system, offering the mock-ups for military training and limited export.
Videos shared on Chinese social media platforms show a private company presenting mobile versions designed to visually resemble American HIMARS launchers.
According to the company, the replicas are being produced in small batches but can be supplied on a larger scale depending on demand. In addition, there is the possibility of customized versions for training, depending on customer requests.
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Although they are not functional systems, these copies aim to provide realism in military exercises. The practice is not exclusive to China: the United States has also developed high-fidelity mock-ups of Chinese and Russian weapon systems to train aircraft crews and reconnaissance drone operators, reproducing not only the external appearance but also electromagnetic signatures.
The announcement of the replicas comes in parallel with Taiwan’s strengthened defense. In 2024, Taipei received 11 of the 29 HIMARS launchers ordered from Washington, with the first unit officially tested in May this year.
Each launcher has a range of about 300 kilometers, allowing it to strike targets in China’s Fujian province, located across the Taiwan Strait.
The activation of the first unit equipped with HIMARS enhances the island’s long-range strike capability and symbolizes the growing emphasis on precision firepower to deter potential actions by Beijing.
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Rivalry in the Taiwan Strait
Over the past five years, China has significantly intensified its military pressure on Taiwan. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted large-scale exercises and maintains near-daily air and naval patrols around the island.
The production of HIMARS replicas, even if non-operational, fits into this environment of strategic rivalry. While Taiwan incorporates real launchers into its arsenal, China showcases copies for training, turning the system into yet another symbol of the escalating dispute in East Asia.
Source and images: Defence Security Asia | Heibo. This content was produced with AI support and reviewed by the editorial team.
